Psalms 111:7

KJV

The works of his hands [are] verity and judgment; all his commandments [are] sure.

KJV (with Strong's)

The works {H4639} of his hands {H3027} are verity {H571} and judgment {H4941}; all his commandments {H6490} are sure {H539}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The works of his hands are truth and justice; all his precepts can be trusted.

Berean Standard Bible

The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are trustworthy.

American Standard Version

The works of his hands are truth and justice; All his precepts are sure.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 111:7 powerfully articulates the unwavering integrity of God's character, asserting that both His divine actions and His revealed decrees are intrinsically founded upon truth and perfect justice. This verse provides a profound theological anchor, assuring believers that God's every deed is consistent with His righteous nature and that His every command is eternally reliable, serving as an immutable standard for life and faith in a world of constant flux.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 111 is a meticulously crafted acrostic hymn of praise, one of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 111-118), designed to celebrate the Lord's great works and righteous character. Each line of the original Hebrew text begins with a successive letter of the alphabet, a literary device that emphasizes the comprehensive and perfect nature of God's attributes and deeds. The psalm opens with a call to praise God for His "great works" ([Psalms 111:2](/psalms/111-2 "Psalm 111:2 - God's Great Works")), highlighting their honor, majesty, and enduring righteousness. Verse 7 specifically builds upon this foundation by declaring the inherent nature of these works and, in parallel, the steadfastness of His commandments, solidifying the psalmist's foundational assertion of divine reliability. It transitions from God's general acts to the specific qualities that define them and His decrees.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely for liturgical use in Israelite worship, Psalm 111 reflects a worldview where the character of a ruler was intrinsically linked to the justice and reliability of their decrees and actions. In the ancient Near East, human kings were often capricious and their laws subject to change, leading to instability. In stark contrast, this psalm affirms the unique nature of Israel's God, Yahweh, whose "works" (referring to His acts in creation, providence, and especially redemptive history like the Exodus) and "commandments" (His Torah, His revealed will) are utterly dependable. This provided immense security and a basis for covenant faithfulness for a people living under God's divine kingship, distinguishing Him from the fallible deities and rulers of surrounding nations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Trustworthiness**, asserting that God's actions are not arbitrary but are always consistent with His righteous character. This theme is central to the covenant relationship, where God's faithfulness is the bedrock of Israel's existence (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")). Secondly, it highlights **Unwavering Truth and Justice**, emphasizing that "verity and judgment" (truth and justice) are inherent qualities of all God's dealings, ensuring His perfect administration of justice and His commitment to what is right. This resonates with the prophetic calls for justice and righteousness throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Justice Rolling Down Like Waters")). Finally, the declaration that "all his commandments are sure" reinforces the **Steadfastness of God's Word**, presenting God's law and precepts as eternally established, unchanging, and entirely reliable, providing a secure guide for life in a world of shifting values, a theme deeply explored in [Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Supremacy of God's Word").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verity (Hebrew, _'emeth'_):** This profound Hebrew term signifies truth, faithfulness, firmness, and reliability. When applied to God's "works," it implies that His actions are utterly dependable, consistent with His nature, and grounded in reality. There is no deceit, no falsehood, and no wavering in what God does. His works are not merely factual, but embody the very essence of truth and integrity.
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpat'_):** This word denotes justice, righteous rule, equitable ordinances, and the proper administration of law. It speaks to God's perfect and impartial governance. His "works" are not only true but also perfectly just, always upholding what is right and fair. This refers to both His redemptive acts, which demonstrate His justice against sin, and His providential acts, which maintain order and equity in the world.
* **Sure (Hebrew, _'aman'_):** Derived from the root that gives us "Amen," this term means to be firm, established, trustworthy, reliable, and enduring. Applied to God's "commandments," it stresses their absolute stability and dependability. They are not subject to change, decay, or human whim. They stand firm as an unshakeable foundation, providing a secure and trustworthy guide for all generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The works of his hands [are] verity and judgment":** This clause refers to all of God's active involvement in the world, encompassing His creative acts (e.g., the formation of the cosmos and humanity), His providential care for creation, and especially His mighty acts of redemption throughout history (e.g., the Exodus, the giving of the Law, the establishment of Israel). The psalmist declares that every one of these divine actions is characterized by absolute truthfulness ('emeth) and perfect justice (mishpat). God's deeds are never arbitrary, deceptive, or unjust; they perfectly reflect His righteous and faithful character.
* **"all his commandments [are] sure":** This second clause shifts focus from God's actions to His revealed will and decrees. "Commandments" here refers broadly to God's statutes, precepts, laws, and promises—His entire revealed word. The declaration that they "are sure" means they are utterly reliable, firm, established, and trustworthy. Unlike human laws or promises, which can be broken, forgotten, or become obsolete, God's word stands eternally. It provides an unwavering moral compass and an unshakeable foundation for faith and life, guaranteeing the fulfillment of His promises and the enduring validity of His ethical demands.

#### Literary Devices
The profound message of Psalms 111:7 is amplified through the skillful use of **Parallelism**. Specifically, it employs a form of synonymous or complementary parallelism. The first half, "The works of his hands [are] verity and judgment," is mirrored and reinforced by the second half, "all his commandments [are] sure." This structure emphasizes the consistent nature of God, showing that His actions and His words are in perfect harmony, both emanating from His unchanging character. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses **Merism** by combining "works of his hands" (God's actions) and "commandments" (God's words/decrees). Together, these two categories encompass the entirety of God's revelation and activity, thereby asserting that *everything* God is and *everything* God does is characterized by truth, justice, and unwavering reliability. This comprehensive statement leaves no room for doubt regarding the integrity of the Divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 111:7 serves as a foundational declaration of God's immutability and absolute trustworthiness, providing a theological anchor for all who seek to understand and relate to Him. It establishes that God's character is not only good but perfectly consistent, ensuring that His actions are always just and His word eternally reliable. This divine integrity is the very basis for faith, allowing believers to confidently place their hope and obedience in a God who never changes His mind, breaks His promises, or acts unjustly. In a world marked by shifting sands of opinion and morality, this verse proclaims the unwavering standard of divine truth and righteousness, inviting us to build our lives upon His solid foundation.

* [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Works")
* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word Endures Forever")
* [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Enduring Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world characterized by instability, fleeting trends, and often broken promises, Psalms 111:7 offers profound comfort and an unshakeable anchor for the soul. It reminds us that our God is not capricious or unreliable; His every action is rooted in perfect truth and justice, and His every word stands eternally firm. This truth should inspire unwavering confidence in His providential care, His redemptive plan, and His moral guidance. When faced with difficult decisions, societal pressures, or personal doubts, we can turn to His "sure" commandments as an infallible compass, knowing they are not arbitrary rules but expressions of His perfect wisdom and love. This verse calls us not only to trust God's character but also to emulate it, striving for truth and justice in our own "works" and living in obedience to His "sure" word, thereby reflecting the very nature of the God we worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's unwavering character, as described in this verse, impact your trust in Him during times of personal uncertainty or global upheaval?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to align more fully with God's "sure" commandments, trusting their reliability over worldly wisdom?**
* **How can meditating on God's "verity and judgment" strengthen your faith and guide your actions, ensuring your own "works" are characterized by truth and justice?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "works of his hands"?**

Answer: This phrase encompasses the totality of God's active involvement in the world and in history. It refers to His magnificent act of creation, bringing the cosmos into being (e.g., [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - The Beginning of Creation")), His ongoing providential care for all things, and especially His mighty acts of redemption throughout the history of Israel, such as the Exodus from Egypt (e.g., [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Crossing of the Red Sea")) and the establishment of His covenant people. By declaring these "works" to be "verity and judgment," the psalmist asserts that every single divine action is perfectly true, faithful, and just, reflecting God's inherent, unblemished character.

**How do "verity and judgment" relate to God's character?**

Answer: "Verity" (truth/faithfulness) and "judgment" (justice/righteous rule) are fundamental, inseparable attributes of God's character. They signify that God is absolutely reliable in all His promises and dealings, never deviating from His word or acting deceitfully. Furthermore, He always acts according to perfect righteousness and equity, ensuring that His decisions and actions are never arbitrary, unfair, or tainted by partiality. This means His justice is not merely punitive but also restorative and redemptive, always aligned with His holy nature (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Works")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 111:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the living embodiment of God's "verity and judgment," for He declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The "works of His hands" are perfectly displayed in Christ's earthly ministry: His miraculous healings, His authoritative teachings, His perfect life, and supremely, His atoning death and resurrection. These are the ultimate demonstrations of God's truth, revealing His character and His redemptive plan with absolute clarity (e.g., [John 10:37-38](/john/10-37 "John 10:37-38 - Jesus' Works Testify of Him")). Moreover, Jesus perfectly fulfilled "all His commandments," not only by His sinless obedience to the Law but also by embodying its very essence of love for God and neighbor ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of divine "judgment" against sin and the supreme revelation of God's "verity" in providing a righteous way for humanity's redemption ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Christ")). Thus, Christ Himself is the "sure" foundation upon which all believers can build their lives, for "no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" ([1 Corinthians 3:11](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Christ the Only Foundation")), making Him the ultimate assurance of God's unwavering faithfulness and justice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 19:7

¶ The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple.

Psalms 89:14

Justice and judgment [are] the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Deuteronomy 32:4

[He is] the Rock, his work [is] perfect: for all his ways [are] judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right [is] he.

Psalms 98:3

He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Psalms 105:8

¶ He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word [which] he commanded to a thousand generations.

Psalms 119:151

Thou [art] near, O LORD; and all thy commandments [are] truth.

Psalms 119:160

¶ Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.